Drikung Kagyu Drikung Kagyu Line(also spelled "Drigung" and "Drikhung") is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes the primacy of practice aimed at direct realization of the nature of reality. Practice is here understood as an integrated and holistic approach involving learning, reflection or contemplation and meditation. The line has, as a basis for the transmission of the teachings a group of teachers who are well trained in explaining and communicating the Dharma but overwhelming the rest of the people is encouraged to do so, just to take to heart the basic teachings and practiced it with devotion.

The practice consists of three aspects: the View, Meditation and Conduct. A unique view of Drikung Kagyu is special science Kjobpy Jigten Sumgöna known as Gongchig or Single Intent. When it comes to meditation, the Drikung Kagyu, so as the other Kagyu lineage, recognizes Mahamudra (so as it was taught by Gampopa and his successors) as 'the path of liberation' and 'Six Dharmas of Naropa' as 'path method' and recommends holistic practice that combines these two paths.

The founder of Drikung Kagyu - Jigten Sumgon
 
Mr. Jigten Sumgon (Sanskrit: Ratna Shri) (1143-1217) the embodiment the Buddhas of the three times, and the reincarnation of Arya Nagarjuna. He belonged to a family Kyura, one of the most important clans of Tibet, called the clan Miu Dhondruk. He appeared in the auspicious time and place, being an inspiration for people determined to free themselves from samsara. In his youth, he met the great masters, received all aspects of science, until finally he met Lord Phagmodrupa, from which he received the complete teachings of the lineage. To integrate them with his mind he practiced day and night until the age of thirty-five years when he reached the Buddhahood in the Echung Cave.
At the requests of people and other beings he founded a monastery in Drikung Thil (1179) where he became the founder of the Drikung Kagyu line. His teachings were directed to listeners over cultural differences and dogma, revealing the universal law of cause and effect.

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche was born in 1936 in Nangchen, Kham in Eastern Tibet. It is a Drikung Kagyu lama tradition, which was known in the thirteenth century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, son of Kjobpy Jigten Sumgon’s heart, the founder of Drikung Kagyu line of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient India he incarnated as Maha Siddha Arjadewa - born from the lotus, a student of the great Nagarjuna. In the seventh century he was known as Lonpo Gar, the minister of the Tibetan Dharma King Songtsen Gampo. Garchen Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned in eastern Tibet by the former leader of the line of Drikung Kyabgon Che Zhiwa Lodro.

At the age of 22 years, after two-and-half-year retreat Garchen Rinpoche was arrested and jailed for 20 years. This was happening during the Cultural Revolution in China. Being in a Chinese labor camp from his root lama - Khenpo Munsela of the Nyingma tradition he received Dzogchen teachings, which he practiced in secret.

After his release from prison in 1979 Garchen Rinpoche took great effort to rebuild Drikung Kagyu monasteries and return Buddhist teachings in eastern Tibet. Currently Garchen Rinpoche is involved in the reconstruction of Gar Monastery, the establishing there monastic universities and two boarding schools for Tibetan children from this area.
In 1997 Grachen Rinpoche first came to the United States where in Chino Valley, Arizona he established his main center in the West.
The main resort in Europe is a Drikung Garchen Institut in Munich. Besides Garchen Rinpoche set up centers in USA, Germany, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Singapore. His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche was honored by His Holiness Chetsanga Rinpoche a title of "the great yogi Drikung Kagyu of our time." It is recognized by many Tibetan lamas as a perfect, completed master.